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her. We’ve been searching everywhere for her.”
    Something Slade should have thought of. Most of the men who gathered at the parties watched out for the women who came there, especially the younger ones. Jessie was especially looked after, considering some of the new riffraff showing up on the lake in the past few years.
    â€œSorry about that, Ron.” Jessie leaned closer to Slade, the warmth of her seeping into his very pores as his arm tightened on her. “I should have thought to call you. I just didn’t think about it.”
    Rhonda had been watching out for Jessie as long as she had been coming to the parties. She was one of the special girls Rhonda had taken under her wing long ago. You didn’t mess with her babies and get away with it.
    Ron ran his hand over his dark cheeks, his gaze slicing to Slade again. Slade hid his smile, knowing the other man was just waiting to tear into him. There could be no mistaking the fact that he and Jessie were now lovers. And Slade had no intention of trying to hide it.
    â€œWhy don’t you go on in and see if I stocked the fridge with anything for lunch.” He kissed the top of her head as his hand ran down her back, everything inside him rejecting the idea of letting her go.
    â€œWhy? So the two of you can argue about why I’m here?” She laughed, genuine amusement rather than anger shining in her eyes as she turned her face up to him. “You two are watching each other like a pair of dogs ready to square off. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t where I wanted to be.”
    Slade smiled back at her, a rakish smile that brought a flush of heat to her cheeks and hunger to her eyes.
    â€œGo on, minx.” He smacked her rear, ignoring the playful swipe she took to his head as she turned and bounced inside the RV, sliding the door closed with a smart little snap.
    Slade turned back to Ron, crossing his arms over his chest, and stared at the other man silently.
    Scratching his chest in irritation, Ron shook his head before a cold, thin smile shaped his lips.
    â€œYou should get rid of your garbage ‘fore taking on something that sweet,” he growled, nodding toward the RV where Jessie searched the kitchen.
    â€œWhat the hell are you talking about?” Slade frowned, confusion knitting his brows as Ron grimaced.
    â€œAmy’s at the clearing looking for you. She’s driven us crazy running that four-wheeler of her uncle’s around the parked vehicles. You’re damned lucky only a few of us know you like to come here. I doubt it would be pretty if she found you holed up with Jessie.” His gaze was sharp, suspicious. “I hope you’re not playing with that kid, Slade. I wouldn’t be happy.”
    Ron wasn’t prone to comment or concern himself with other’s affairs. He kept his private business private and allowed others the same consideration. The fact that he was giving the warning was due more to the affectionate protectiveness Jessie inspired in the men who gathered together each weekend.
    â€œWhat makes you happy isn’t something I lay awake at night worrying about, Ron.” Slade grinned to take the sting out of his words. “Come on, man, you knew this was coming the same as I did. I thought I could run from it this weekend until I turned around and realized she’d been sleeping in the RV the whole time I’d been heading out here. She’s mine. I wouldn’t have kept her here if I didn’t intend to hold onto her.”
    He could feel that band tightening around his throat again. Commitment. Like an over-tight collar threatening to smother him.
    Ron stared back at him, his eyes cold. It was more than evident he wasn’t satisfied with the explanation.
    â€œYou better do something about the Jennings girl then. She obviously thinks she has a hold on you, and you know damned good and well she’s never particularly liked Jessie.”
    Amy could be a